Kyle Kersten was a true friend of TCM. One of the first and most active participants of the Message Boards, “Kyle in Hollywood” (aka, hlywdkjk) demonstrated a depth of knowledge and largesse of spirit that made him one of the most popular and respected voices in these forums. This thread is a living memorial to his life and love of movies, which remain with us still.

Thanks so much for replying! I will definitely keep an eye out for you and your messenger bag!

Looking forward to it!

"Movies touch our hearts and awaken our vision, and change the way we see things. They take us to other places, they open doors and minds. Movies are the memories of our life times, we need to keep them alive,"- Marty Scorsese

>Last year while standing in line for Cinerama Holiday, my husband and I met a young man from France. He had small pins made for the Festiival that said "I heart TCM* and one for Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. He handed them out to us and others on line. I have them on my purse along with the official TCM festival buttons.

Hi lzcutter,

I'm the button guy and I'm actually from Canada (not France). I'll be back again this year so keep an eye out for a guy with a black messenger bag with a couple dozen buttons on it as I hope to have a bunch of different buttons to give away. I'm very excited about getting to see Margaret O'Brien this year so I will definitely have some Margaret buttons to give out.

Emma, there are plenty more announcements to come, and I feel that by the time the final schedule is revealed that you will have so many decisions to make. It's a very hectic pace once you are moving from screening to screeing, but you will have so much fun.

I feel so lucky because of all the classic film loving friends I've found and made. :-)

WJR and Izcutter ! Thanks so much for your replies ! I am attending with a girlfriend and she and I are much encouraged by your responses ! We purchased the Classic because it seemed to be the "middle of the road" pass and we do not care about the red carpet.... I will take your advice about chatting up with the people in line. Thank you again; you have been most kind.

Excellent points! About getting line early, the best part of that is talking to the people in the queue next to you. Don't be nervous about striking up conversations!

People come from all around the country and all around the world for the Festival and one of the most memorable experiences you can have is meeting them in line. We all have something in common, we love movies and we love TCM! It's one of the rare times that standing in line becomes fun, because of the people you will meet and the conversations you will have.

The first year I met a wonderful woman named Sylvia from Canada. We were waiting to get into to see *Murder, He Says*. She had seen it back in 1945 when she was a young girl and was telling me about that.

Last year while standing in line for *Cinerama Holiday*, my husband and I met a young man from France. He had small pins made for the Festiival that said "I heart TCM* and one for *Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World*. He handed them out to us and others on line. I have them on my purse along with the official TCM festival buttons.

So, don't be discouraged about standing on line. You never know who will you meet and you will have fun!

"Movies touch our hearts and awaken our vision, and change the way we see things. They take us to other places, they open doors and minds. Movies are the memories of our life times, we need to keep them alive,"- Marty Scorsese

Your not low on the TP, 1st you have a pass and your going to the festival, it's a great way to go around, mingle, and you'll have no problem getting in to see films you want to see though I admit sometimes you have to get into the queue early. The discussions with the panels and remember the best part of this festival is you know you have something in common with the person next to you.
Enjoy

>I have a Classic Pass so it looks like I am low man on the totem pole....

Emma,

No, you're not, trust me. I have had a Classic Pass each year of the Festival and have not had a problem getting a seat no matter the venue or the film (and I have seen some very popular titles).

Remember, there are films going on at the same time in all of the venues as well as events in Club TCM like interviews and panel discussions so not everyone is lined up for just one event.

The thing to do is to wait until the final schedule is released and we know which theater *Meet Me in St. Louis* will screen in and that will give you a better idea of things to come.

"Movies touch our hearts and awaken our vision, and change the way we see things. They take us to other places, they open doors and minds. Movies are the memories of our life times, we need to keep them alive,"- Marty Scorsese

Thanks so much for all the great information ! But, Oh dear... I have a Classic Pass so it looks like I am low man on the totem pole.....does anyone have any info on how many seats are available for the screenings ?? ball park, of course. just wondering what my chances are with my Classic Pass.......

> if there are any tips that can be shared regarding entrance into screenings. For example, I would love to attend the screening and discussion with Margaret O'Brian....how difficult is it to get in ? would I have to wait in line hours before the screening ?

Part of the answer depends on the type of pass you have- if you have a Spotlight pass, once the theater is open for seating, Spotlight pass holders are the first admitted, followed by Essential pass holders, then Classic, then Matinee.

There are movies that run simultaneous all day and into the evening. There will be screenings at Graumans, three smaller theaters in the Chinese theater complex, the Egyptian and possibly the El Capitan.

There will also be interviews and panel discussions at the same time in Club TCM at the Roosevelt Hotel.

Making decisions about what movies to see when will be hard. And it is always difficult to gauge what movies will be the most popular.

In the four years I have attended with a Classic Pass, I have been successful at seeing the movies I stood in line for.

A good rule of thumb is to get in line at least 30 minutes early. If you think the screening is going to be very popular, I'd allow an hour.

There will be volunteer staff who will be passing out number cards. Once you have your number card, you can leave the line, go sit down, go the snack bar, bathroom, etc.

When you return, you get in line by your number card so essentially you don't loose your place in line. Just be sure to be in line before they start admitting people to the auditorium so that you enter with your number group.

Looking forward to seeing you in April!

"Movies touch our hearts and awaken our vision, and change the way we see things. They take us to other places, they open doors and minds. Movies are the memories of our life times, we need to keep them alive,"- Marty Scorsese

I am a very excited first-timer attending this year. am wondering if there are any tips that can be shared regarding entrance into screenings. For example, I would love to attend the screening and discussion with Margaret O'Brian....how difficult is it to get in ? would I have to wait in line hours before the screening ? thanks to all for any tips.